Metropolitan wishes you a joyful holiday season and a happy New Year | | Metropolitan joins California in presenting a framework for a basin-wide agreement on the Colorado River | | From left, Brad Robinson, Palo Verde Irrigation District; Jim Madaffer, San Diego County Water Authority; Gina Dockstader, Imperial Irrigation District; Adán Ortega, Jr., Metropolitan; J.B. Hamby, Colorado River Board of California; Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency; Jessica Neuwerth, Colorado River Board of California; David Pettijohn, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; Ray Face, Bard Water District; Jonathan Koteen, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe; Peter Nelson, Coachella Valley Water District | | |
Underscoring California's efforts to reach consensus on future operations of the Colorado River, leaders from the state's water, tribal and agricultural agencies that rely on the river presented a framework for a basin-wide agreement on Dec. 16, during the annual Colorado River Water Users Association Conference.
The leaders highlighted California's historic reductions in water use over the last 20 years and the need for all states to contribute real water savings as part of the post-2026 operating rules.
Going forward, they said, the state is prepared to conserve 440,000 acre-feet of river water per year, in addition to existing long-standing conservation efforts, as part of the Lower Basin’s proposal to conserve up to 1.5 million acre-feet per year, which would include participation by Mexico. California is also committed to making additional reductions to address future shortages as part of a comprehensive basin-state plan.
The state's framework for a post-2026 plan includes hydrology-based, flexible water releases that protect both Lake Powell and Lake Mead; shared contributions to water savings from all seven Basin States; and interstate exchanges to encourage interstate investments in new water supply projects.
Read more in the press release from the Colorado River Board of California.
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“Metropolitan’s story is one of collaboration, of finding common ground. We have forged partnerships across California and the Basin – with agriculture, urban agencies and tribes. And through that experience, we know that we can build a comprehensive Colorado River Agreement that includes all seven states and the country of Mexico. We must reach a consensus. That is the only option.”
Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr.
| | Metropolitan colleagues and directors honor retiring General Manager Deven Upadhyay for his leadership and service | | Above, the Board of Directors presents General Manager Deven Upadhyay with a photo recognizing his leadership. Below, he receives golf balls imprinted with his picture from Director Karl Seckel during a retirement reception. | | |
Metropolitan staff and leadership gathered Dec. 9 to recognize and celebrate General Manager Deven Upadhyay, who is retiring at the end of the month.
Upadhyay joined Metropolitan 30 years ago as a resource specialist in the Planning and Resource Division. Over his long career, he advanced to become group manager for Water Resource Management and later executive officer and assistant general manager.
He was appointed general manager in January.
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During his last board meeting, Upadhyay reflected on his decades with Metropolitan, including the meaningful work of public service and the deep friendships made along the way.
“My experience at Metropolitan has been an incredibly positive one. I’ve seen dedication from our workforce that makes me proud. And, ultimately, I feel like I’ve had more than my fair share of luck to be able to have worked with this incredible team for so long,” he said. "I thank you for allowing me to serve alongside you in this wonderful institution."
| | California, Metropolitan mark a strong start to the water year | | | | |
In its first supply forecast of the new water year, the California Department of Water Resources announced an initial State Water Project allocation of 10% of each agency's contracted amount.
The first forecast comes before the wettest months and tends to be conservative because winter weather is increasingly unpredictable, but it's still higher than last year's first allocation of 5%.
Metropolitan has made it a priority to boost storage for the inevitable dry periods.
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"Metropolitan is projecting to end the year with 3.8 million acre-feet of water in storage – matching the record level reached in 2024," said General Manager Deven Upadhyay. "This milestone reflects decades of investment in storage capacity and, just as importantly, the continued conservation ethic practiced by the people and businesses of Southern California to lower demands."
Read the statement.
| | General manager-designate and directors visit Metropolitan facilities across the district to meet with and hear from staff | | During a Dec. 11 visit to desert pumping plants along the Colorado River Aqueduct, General Manager-Designate Shivaji Deshmukh, along with Director Dennis Erdman, Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr., and Director Mel Katz, toured facilities and heard from staff on operations and needs. This was one of several site visits the incoming general manager and directors made in December. | | Learn how Metropolitan plans to help ensure reliable water delivery, even during emergencies | | |
Metropolitan is working closely with its 26 member agencies and county emergency managers to develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan that strengthens the resilience of Southern California’s water supplies.
The plan outlines strategies to reduce risks from natural hazards and help ensure reliable water delivery and the protection of regional water infrastructure during emergencies.
A draft plan will be released in January. Join Metropolitan for a webinar on Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. to learn more about the plan's goals and approach to maintaining resiliency, as well as the risks analyzed. Information on how to provide comments will also be shared.
Read about the plan and register for the public webinar.
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New MWDOC director joins Metropolitan board
Policy professor and water consultant Randall Crane was seated Dec. 9 as the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s newest representative on Metropolitan's board of directors.
Crane is a professor emeritus at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, where he studied water governance, infrastructure planning, transportation, and the economic development challenges of cities.
Read the press release.
| | | Metropolitan celebrates student artists featured in our 37th annual “Water is Life” calendar | | |
Metropolitan honored 39 student artists whose creative, conservation-themed work was chosen from more than 2,000 entries for the 2026 student art calendar.
This year's "Being Waterwise is ..." calendar includes student artists from kindergarten through 12th grade. They were celebrated this month during a ceremony at Metropolitan's headquarters, where their work will be displayed through January. The exhibit will travel to participating member agencies through the year.
View the 2026 calendar.
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